Inertially operable electricity switches

ABSTRACT

An inertially operable electricity switch, otherwise described as an impulse switch, of relatively small size. Combinations of the small impulse switch and socket adapter, movable room lamps and long life light bulbs. The switch is operated by a small relatively sharp movement of that electrical device in which it may be assembled, such as in a table lamp and its socket when the table lamp is gently and momentarily accelerated in its upper part where the switch is contained within the socket. The lamp remains in place with socket and switch in the same single general attitude but sways momentarily. New components of the switch which enable it to function as it does are a small unstable mass linked to switch contacts and release and stabilizing means for releasing and holding contacts in the proper position. Movement of the unstable mass with respect to the remainder of the switch and particularly its structure or mounting interchanges switch contacts, while the release and stabilizing means holds them in their new positions when acceleration is stopped. The separate combinations of the switch with each of a light bulb socket, socket adapter, and light bulb itself are operated also by gentle and momentary acceleration. The new switch with its combinations are primarily intended to enable easier and more convenient lighting operations than are now afforded by similar devices in popular use.

Bounds tates Patent [1 1 INERTIALLY OPERABLE ELECTRICITY SWITCHES [76] lnventor: Wallace A. Bounds, 3726 135th Avenue S.E., King County, Wash. 98006 [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 152,71

[52] 11.3. C1 ZOO/61.45 R, 200/61.47, 340/262,

313/272, 313/318, ZOO/51.03

[51] Int. Cl. H0111 35/14 [58] Field of Search 200/6l.456l.53, 5151.l7; 313/272, 318,

Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant ExaminerM. Ginsburg [57] ABSTRACT An inertially operable electricity switch, otherwise described as an impulse switch, of relatively small size. Combinations of the small impulse switch and socket adapter, movable room lamps and long life light bulbs. The switch is operated by a small relatively sharp movement of that electrical device in which it may be assembled, such as in a table lamp and its socket when the table lamp is gently and momentarily accelerated in its upper part where the switch is contained within the socket. The lamp remains in place with socket and switch in the same single general attitude but sways momentarily. New components of the switch which enable it to function as it does are a small unstable mass linked to switch contacts and release and stabilizing means for releasing and holding contacts in the proper position. Movement of the unstable mass with respect to the remainder of the switch are particularly its structure or mounting interchanges switch contacts, while the release and stabilizing means holds them in their new positions when acceleration is stopped.

The separate combinations of the switch with each of a light bulb socket, socket adapter, and light bulb itself are operated also by gentle and momentary acceleration. The new switch with its combinations are primarily intended to enable easier and more convenient lighting operations than are now afforded by similar devices in popular use.

48 Claims, 40 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN r 2 ma SHiUZUFS 7/74, 6. I I v l mz o W F rm I. Vv 5 4 INVENTOR Ho. /2 Z4 5 F/GN PATENTEU 3.739.118

SHEET 3 0f 5 PATENTED 3. 739.1 18

SHEEI b 0f 5 INVENTOR AA/ZQaM' PATENIED JUN 2 i973 0 v 0 M F.

INVENTOR INERTIALLY OPERABLE ELECTRICITY SWITCHES The principal object of the invention is to provide a conveniently operable and inexpensive control switch of the type to control the lighting of conventional 3-way light bulbs and of the on-off type.

A further object is to provide a combination socket and inertially operable switch adapter to enable the simple and inexpensive conversion of on-off sockets to three-way bulb sockets and to provide inertially operable switch means within the socket adapter.

Another object is to provide a combination table lamp and inertially operable switch device for simpler and more convenient control of room lighting.

Another object is to provide inexpensive combinations of long life electric light bulbs and inertially sensitive switches.

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred details of construction wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the combination of bulb, socket and concealed switch means, a detail of FIG. 39 within the circular line 1-1.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of FIG. 1 taken 90 on line 2-2 showing a section view of the switch beneath the socket. This illustrates a standard three-way light bulb and the inertial switch to operate it.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 in FIG. 2 illustrating components, switch in off position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 in FIG. 2 illustrating additional components.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view similar to that shown in FIG. 2 illustrating alternative construction of components.

FIG. 6 is a more enlarged view taken within the circular line 6-6 in FIG. 5 showing separated side views of components.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 6 illustrating the male combination shaft end and ratchet cone.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional side view of an alternative construction illustrating components.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 in FIG. 8 illustrating components.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 in FIG. 8 illustrating components.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11-11 in FIG. 8 illustrating construction details.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 12-12 in FIG. 3 illustrating component details.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view enlarging detail taken from within the circular line 13-13 in FIG. 12 illustrating construction details.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional side view of an alternative construction illustrating components.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 15-15 in FIG. 14 illustrating components.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary side view showing an alternative construction for the hollow torus ring and associated components.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view taken on line 17-17 in FIG. 16 showing construction details.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view taken on line 18118 in FIG. 16 showing construction details.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view taken on line 19-19 in FIG. 16 showing construction details.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional side view of an alternative construction illustrating components.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken on line 21-21 in FIG. 20 illustrating components.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view taken on line 22-22 in FIG. 20 illustrating component details.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary view taken on line 23-23 in FIG. 20 illustrating other component details.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary top view of an alternative construction ofthe switch means showing simple on-off capability.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the same alternative construction detail of that shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side view of an alternative construction illustrating components.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary side view at of the same alternative construction illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram depicting two switches and a single filament light bulb in circuit.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary top view of the two position stabilizing means, an alternative construction for that shown in FIG. 4 for use with each switch depicted in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged sectional side view of an alternative construction illustrating components.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken on line 31-31 in FIG. 30 illustrating components.

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary view taken on line 32-32 in FIG. 30 illustrating construction details.

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary view taken on line 33-33 in FIG. 30 illustrating other details of construction.

FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken on line 34-34 in FIG. 30 illustrating additional construction details.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged sectional side view of an alternative construction of components of the most preferred configuration of the switch device.

FIG. 36 is a top view of the alternative construction illustrated in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram of details in the construction illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36 depicting half the trace, exaggerated in amplitude for clarity, of the inner surface configuration over which the depicted spherical cone rolls or nutates.

FIG. 38 is an enlarged sectional side view of the socket adapter illustrating the base of a conventional three-way light bulb in the socket and the switch incorporated within a standard light bulb sized base.

FIG. 39 is a side view of the combination table lamp and switch.

FIG. 40 is a side view of an electric light bulb showing its altered portions within its base in section.

The switch device S, as first illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and which is incorporated in FIGS. 1, 38, 39 and 40, comprises a main structure 1 of insulative material, usually molded using an economical thermosetting plastic commonly used in electrical switch construction. A case of non-conductive material contains the switch device. For descriptive convenience two main chambers, which in fact are portions of a single chamber, are designated within the case, A the upper and B the lower. Chamber B is disc shaped with extremely smooth surfaces. A single molded rotating piece 4 is contained within the two chambers. The piece 4 has shaft end protuberances 5 and 6 contained within bearings 7 and 8 in case portions 3 and 2 respectively. The piece 4 has an extremely smooth main body portion 9 contained within chamber B. About as viewed from the top, of body portion 9 has a disc-shaped periphery. Extremely small clearance between the body 9s surfaces and the inner surfaces of chamber B are provided.

A portion of the stabilizing and release means, also designated as a positioning and stabilizing means, in the form of a four-toothed ratchet wheel 10 is a molded upper part of piece 4 and is contained mostly within chamber A. A second portion of the stabilizing and release means are resilient biasing means, two very light springs 11 and 12, extending into chamber A. The springs 11 and 12 engage the surfaces and catches (teeth) of ratchet wheel 10 and permit its rotation in a clockwise direction as shown but prevents its counterclockwise rotation. Opposite ends of springs 11 and 12 are anchored in case 2. Incoming electricity conductive means are wires 13 and 14, leads l5 and 16 and U- shaped piece 17. Ongoing electricity conductive means are U-shaped pieces 18 and 19, and leads 20 and 21. The inner faces of U-shaped conductive means, 17, 18 and 19, are recessed within the inner wall of chamber B 90 apart. The fourth 90 position is blank. Three voids or cavities 22, 23 and 24 are thus formed in the inner wall of chamber 13.

Mercury 25 completely fills chamber B not filled by that portion of piece 4 within it. Because of the proper ties of mercury, especially its high surface tension, and the closed clearance between body 9, mercury 25 is excluded where clearance is close. The portions of mercury 25 thus filling cavities 22, 23 and 24 are the incoming and ongoing contacts and comprise the first switch means. Mercury 25 in the remainder of chamber with the medium bright circuit portion through fila- B comprises both (1) a movable second switch means because it is movable and conductive, and (2) an unstable mass means because of its inherent properties of liquidity with high density. It has manyfold the density and mass of body 9 The curved face 26 of body 9 to gether with body 9 and its mounting comprises a third switch means operably associated with unstable mass means 25 and receives inertial energy from mercury 25 when inertial momenta are originated from an external source and imparted to mercury 25. The surface 26 reacts with the unstable mercury mass means because of its operable association with the stabilizing and release means 10, 11 and 12, which also serves as positioning and stabilizing means, to deliver and channel inertial energy in the mass means 25 which is also the second switch means to move the second switch means from one position to another. Such motion causes a corresponding motion in piece 4 and body 9 to simultaneously allow mercury 25 to open and close circuits between mercury (first switch means) in the cavities 22, 23 and 24 at the sides of chamber B through the remainder of mercury 25 comprising also the second switch means. Both first and second switch means are one and the same member in this configuration.

Circular flange 27 is also a molded part of piece 4 between body 9 and ratchet wheel 10 and serves to cover the portion of chamber B occupied by mercury 25 preventing momentary eruption of mercury 25 into voids of chamber A. Flange 27 preserves inertial forces generated in mercury mass 25 which would otherwise be dissipated by such eruption.

The unstable mass means mounting means in the design of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 is chamber B in cooperation with body 9, surface 26 and flange 27 of piece 4.

In FIG. 2 ongoing conductive means 20 is in contact with the dim filament 30 circuit; and ongoing conductive means 21 through conventional leads in contact ment 31 of bulb 32. The metallic base 33 of bulb 32 is in contact withsocket 34 which through appropriate lead is in contact with incoming conductive means 16.

Body 9 in each of its four positions occludes mercury 25 from contacting the wall of chamber B and hence blocks electricity circuit passage to the position contact or blank that it occupies. This results in the opening or closing of circuit passage means between incoming and ongoing conductive means depending upon whether body 9 blocks corresponding positions.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 the switch device S is shown in the off position and the stabilizing and release means for the second switch means as shown in FIG. 4 permits a first clockwise movement of the mercury 25 such that the medium bright ongoing circuit 19, 21 and 31 is occluded and is off while the circuit between incoming means 17 and ongoing means 18 is closed and the dim filament 30 permitted to burn. A second 90 rotation occludes the dim ongoing means 18 and closes the circuit passage between 17 and 19 permitting medium bright filament 31 to burn. A third 90 rotation closes the circuit between 17 and both 18 and 19 permitting both filaments to burn, hence the bright light setting. A fourth 90 rotation returns the second switch means to the wholly off position. This is the sequence for switching three-way table lamp bulbs in this application of the switch device and is identical to the lighting sequence of most popular table lamps and bulbs.

Because of the more than one ongoing conductive means of this configuration, the stabilizing and release means permitting rotation in one direction serves also as programming means for a single sequence of operations by its unidirectional rotational constraint of the second switch means.

The construction and operation of the switch device S shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are the same as that shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 except that the stabilizing and release means for the second switch means is changed. Upper case 35 replacing 2 is resiliently movable up and down and is the resilient biasing means portion of the stabilizing and release means, also referred to as positioning and stabilizing means. The single molded piece 36 replaces 4. It combines its upper shaft end with a four-toothed convex conical ratchet 37 which mates in a concave bearing 38 molded into case 35 and having ratchet teeth which mate at four quadrant positions with those of ratchet 37. The resilient biasing means portion of the stabilizing and release means and their relative positioning in spaced relationship cause the surfaces to interact.

FIGS. 8, 9, 11), 11, 12 and 13 depict an alternative construction which does not have mercury. While mounting, incoming and ongoing conductive means are essentially the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the unstable mass means no longer serves also as the second switch means. The switching device comprises a lower case 411 and an upper case 41. Mounted in bearings 42 and 43 in lower and upper cases respectively is vertical shaft 44, here serving as a third switch means and as mounting means for the unstable mass means. A four-toothed ratchet 45 comprises a part of the stabilizing and release means, also referred to as positioning and stabilizing means, and is mounted on shaft 44.

Operably associated with ratchet 45 are three incoming and ongoing electrical contacts, springs 46, 47 and 48, serving as a first switch means and also serving as resilient biasing means and comprises the balance of the stabilizing and release means for stabilizing and releasing the second switch means. Unstable mass means 49 consisting of a relatively heavy metal, such as SAE 1020, is fixedly mounted on a lower portion of shaft 44. Without the stabilizing means on the opposite end of the shaft 44 the mass means is unstable in its horizontal plane of rotation. A ring 50 of 24 ratchet teeth is molded in bottom case 40 about the lower end of shaft 44. Engaging these teeth is resilient biasing means, spring 51, the opposite end of which is affixed to mass 49 and shaft 44 with pin 52.

A protuberance 53 comprises the balance of biasing means associated with the mass means and is a part of mass 49. Protuberance 53 prevents spring 51 from swinging clockwise as seen in FIG. 12, with respect to unstable mass means 49. Spring 51 in operable association with ratchet teeth 50 and protuberance 53 limits counterclockwise rotation of mass 49 such that inertial energy in mass 49 when it is energized to move counterclockwise is momentarily stored in spring 51 and converted to return as clockwise inertial energy in mass 49 which causes shaft 44 also to rotate in a clockwise direction. Spring 51 freely hinges counterclockwise on pin 52 enabling its opposite end to swing counterclockwise up and out of ratchet teeth 50, permitting unstable mass means 49 and shaft 44 to rotate clockwise.

Mounted on faces of three teeth of the stabilizing and release means, portion 45 affixed to shaft 44, are second switch means for closing and opening circuit passage between first switch means 46, 47 and 48 which, as was said, also serves as the remaining portion of the stabilizing and release means. These three switch means on ratchet 45 are electrically interconnected, and, in fact, are formed from the same piece of metal. This may be seen in better detail by reference to FIG. 31 where a comparable part is shown. The fourth tooth is of non-conductive material.

Interconnections, operation of rotating switch means and sequential opening and closing of circuits from, to and through contacts for incoming and ongoing conductive means and the three-way light bulb filaments are the same as those shown and described for the device depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

FIGS. 14 and depict an alternative construction of the switch device S having the same circuitry and operational results as in previously described and depicted configurations. However, this alternative configuration of FIGS. 14 and 15 uses mercury 60 as a second switch means but not as an unstable mass means for receiving external inertial momenta. It does receive externally generated inertial momenta but its mounting precludes its interference with the operation of the switch. Mercury 60 is contained in a hollow, sealed torus-shaped ring 61 which is contained loosely in case 62 and rests lightly on wedge-shaped, circular, unstable mass means 63, made of SAE 1020 steel. Both ring 61 on its bottom and the top surface of mass means 63 are extremely smooth. Unstable mass means 63 is mounted fixedly on shaft 64 and, with torus ring 61 without its mercury, serves both as a third switch means for transmitting energy to the second switch means, the mercury 60 in the torus 61, and as a mounting means for the unstable mass means 63. Shaft 64 is mounted vertically in bearings 65 and 66 in the top of bottom cover 59 and the bottom of top cover 67 respectively.

Three electrical contacts, 68, 69 and 70 extending through the top of ring 61 into the interior are spaced 90 apart at three of the four of torus ring 61s quadrant positions. The fourth quadrant position is blank, having no electricity contact. These three contacts comprise a first switch means. A bottom portion of mass means 63 consists of four equally spaced ratchet teeth 71 essentially the same as those shown in FIG. 4 for the same function. Engaging these teeth are two balanced springs 72 anchored in bottom cover 59 in a fashion similar to that shown in FIG. 4. Ratchet 71, springs 72 and shaft 64 comprise the stabilizing and release means for the second switch means contained within torus ring 61. Unstable mass means 63, ratchet 71 and shaft 64 rotate clockwise as seen from above. Ring 61 does not rotate because of protuberances 73 and notches 74 on ring 61 and case 62 respectively; but nutates on top of wedge-shaped mass means 63 as the latter rotates. This causes mercury 60 contained within the ring 61 to flow or move around inside ring 61 and thus to close and open circuits between and among incoming and ongoing contacts.

The exterior of contacts 68, 69 and 70 are joined by extremely flexible electrical leads 75, 76 and 77 to incoming 78 and ongoing 79 and 80 conductive means respectively.

As previously discussed the general circuitry and operational results of this configuration (FIGS. 14 and 15) are the same as with previous configurations.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19 depict an alternative arrangement for circuitry in and about a nutating torus ring 81 in a switch device similar to that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 in other respects. The annular chamber inside the nutatable torus ring contains a much smaller quantity of expensive mercury 82. Here mercury 82 also serves as a second switch means but not as the unstable mass means. Nearly semicircular internal electrical contact 83 in the lower part of the ring 81 is a part of the first switch means. Four electrical contacts 84, 85, 86 and 87 extend into the interior of the ring 81 three places from the top roughly 90 apart and comprise the remainder of the first switch means. Two ongoing electrical contacts 86 and 87 share one quadrant position but themselves are not in electrical contact with each other except via mercury 82 when it also is in the same position. On the top outside surface of ring 81 ongoing electricity conductive means 88 joins contacts and 86 and ongoing conductive means 89 joins contacts 84 and 87.

Joined on the outside to contact 83 is incoming conductive means 90. Joined on the outside to the dim filament lead of ongoing conductive means 91 are contacts 84 and 87 at 87. Joined on the outside to medium bright filament lead of ongoing conductive means 92 are contacts 85 and 86 at 85. These incoming and ongoing conductive means 90, 91 and 92 in FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19 as with those in FIGS. 14 and 15 are extremely flexible.

It readily can be seen that mercury 82 in each of the four quadrant positions will close and open circuits between incoming and ongoing contacts in a manner similar to but not the same as that of FIGS. 14 and 15 with the same operating results.

An alternative switch device S construction shown in FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23 is similar to that shown in and described for FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 except that long term energy storage means are added operatively between the mass means 100 and the four toothed ratchet 110. This energy storage means is similar to that found in self-winding wrist watches and functions similarly. On the faces of three teeth of the four on ratchet 1111, are mounted the second switch means. Faces on the teeth of ratchet 110 spiral inwardly clockwise. The first switch means is comprised of spring-like contacts, two

- of the three of which are 111 and 112 shown in FIGS.

20 and 23. The third 113 is shown in FIG. 23.

Molded in the same piece with the four toothed ratchet 1111 and atop 1111 is a second four toothed ratchet 114, whose faces spiral inwardly counterclockwise. Engaging two opposite teeth of 114 at a time are two springs 115 and 116 anchored in top case 118. Ratchet teeth 114 and springs 115 and 116 comprise the primary part of the second switch means stabilizing and release means of this configuration. They also I serve to limit the amount of energy stored in spiral spring 117, a primary part of the long term energy storage means, releasing sufficient energy to rotate the second switch means clockwisewhen stored energy exceeds the restraining energy in springs 115 and 116.

The inner end of spiral spring 117 is afflxed to a hub of ratchet pinion 119 which is itself mounted freely rotatable on shaft 120. The opposite end of spiral spring 117 is affixed to pin 121, an integrally molded part of flange 122 which is itself an integrally molded part of the two ratchet means 110 and 114. Ratchet pinion 119 is rotatably mounted on shaft 120 between mass means 100 and the molded assembly, pin 121, flange 122, ratchets 110 and 114; and, as shown, pinion 119 is interconnected with pin 121 by long term energy storage spring 117. Ratchet pinion 119 is designed .to turn clockwise and by tooth engagement with spring 123 anchored in top case 1 18 is prevented from rotating counterclockwise. Mass means 100 is mounted to freely rotate on shaft 120. A pawl 125 is affixed to mass means 100 by pin 124, such that ratchet pinion 119 can relatively rotate clockwise causing the catch of the pawl only to ride over its teeth.

Affixed to mass means 100 by pin 126 is spring 127 which in cooperation with protuberance 130 and annular ratchet teeth 128 molded into bottom case 129 limits the counterclockwise rotation of mass means 100.

counterclockwise inertial momenta in mass means 100 are converted in clockwise inertial momenta by spring 127, as they are by similar means shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13.

Because ratchet pinion 119 has 24 equally spaced teeth in this configuration each approximately l clockwise rotation of unstable mass means 100 will wind spring 117 l/24 turn. The second switch means mounted on tooth faces of ratchet 110 will not move clockwise from its stable position into an unstable position between stable positions to the next stable position at 90 until sufficient energy has been stored in spring 117 to clear the resistive force in springs 115 and 116.

Outer structure 131, incoming 132 and ongoing 133 and 134 conductive means are interconnected with the first switch means consisting of spring contacts 111, 112 and 113 as described. External inertial energy from approximately a horizontal direction applied to the switch structure operates the switch in a manner similar to the operation of the configuration of previously described Figures except that before ratchet 110 changes from a stable position to an unstable position the first time, energy will have to be built up and stored in spring 1 17. Sensitivities of the cooperating parts are adjusted so that a major part of the energy is retained by spring 117 upon the release of ratchet 114 using its energy to each rotational position.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate the primary change to the several configurations not containing mercury required to convert the switch device S to a simple on-off switch,

eliminating one of the three first switch means and retaining two, 143 and 144. The second switch means in FIGS. 24 and 25 consists of conductive means and 141 on two of the four ratchet teeth of ratchet 142. These are formed from the same piece of interconnecting metal 145.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate working elements of a conventional on-off toggle switch shown in the circuit closed position with an unstable mass means 152 mounted on its handle 153, the switchs third switch means. Mounting means for the unstable mass means is comprised of flat spring 154 which constrains mass means 152 to oscillate in one plane, the same plane in which the toggle reciprocates. Electrical conducting contact means 155 conventionally closes a circuit between incoming and ongoing contacts 150 and 151 when snapped left as shown, and opens the circuit when snapped right (not shown) against stop 156. Fragments of the mounting structure 157 and 158, the contacts 150 and 151 and stop 156 are stationary with respect to the other conventional parts illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27. The switch is miniaturized and may be mounted in a table lamp socket inverted to the attitude shown with its weight 152 in the down position to operate in pendulum fashion. A properly directed jarring of the table lamp causes the mass means 152 to escillate, one of which oscillations actuating the switch elements. With appropriate and obviously simple mounting such a switch is also mountable as a wall switch and is actuated when the mass means 152 is flicked in either or both of its two operating directions because as can be seen in FIG. 26 if mass means 152 is truck from the right with sufficient force it will snap back to the right because of mounting means, spring 1541, thereby taking the handle 153 with it and operating the switch.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are schematic representations of two switches suggestive of the type shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 modified to single-pole, double-throw configuration in circuit with a lamp filament 160 so that the lamp may be operated on and off by either of the two switches. Conductive means in the switches are represented by the shaded areas 161 and 162. The corresponding switch stabilizing and release means for each switch is shown in FIG. 29 consisting of two notches in a cam 163 one of which notches at a time is engaged by a slidable and relatively weak spring 164. The circuit depicted is open and hence the lamp 160 would be off.

Construction of the switch device S configuration shown in FIGS. 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23 having long term energy storage means except that two unstable mass means are used instead of one. They have rest positions preventing their centers of gravity from lying on a straight line passing through the center of the vertical shaft such that repeated motions from any one compass point will more likely move one of them rotationally.

The switch housing consists of an upper insulative case and a lower insulative case 171. Incoming conductive means 172 is mounted conventionally within upper case 170 and is connected to a first switch means 173. The second incoming conductive means 174 is also mounted conventionally in the upper case 170 and is joined conductively directly to socket 175, a fragmentary view of which is shown in section, FIG. 30. Ongoing conductive means 176 and 777 are also mounted in upper case 170 and are in contact with the balance of their corresponding first switch means contacts, 178 and 179.

Mounted vertically in bearings 180 and 181 in lower and upper cases 171 and 170 respectively is shaft 182. A four-toothed ratchet wheel l83 is rotatably mounted on shaft 182. lntegrally molded with ratchet wheel 182 is flange 184 having molded split pin 185 depending at one point on its periphery. Mounted on three faces of the teeth of ratchet wheel 183 and electrically interconnected are contacts 186 which with their mounting and fourth insulated tooth comprise the second switch means.

Mounted on the opposite end of shaft 182 to freely rotate with respect to shaft 182 is a first mass means 187. Mounted on shaft 182 above the first mass means 187, also freely rotatable with respect to shaft 182 is ratchet pinion and shaft assembly 189. Mounted on the shaft portion of the ratchet pinion and shaft assembly 189, also to freely rotate with respect to the shaft portion of 189, is second mass means 188. Anchored to the shaft portion of 189 is collar 190 with spring pin 191. The opposite end of pin 191 engages ratchet teeth 192 molded in the inside periphery of upper case 170. Pin 191 fully engages teeth 192 with counterclockwise torque on collar 190 but rides over teeth 192 with clockwise torque on collar 190. Also'affixed to collar 190 is one end of coil spring 193, a primary part of the long term energy storage means. Near the opposite end of coil spring 193 coil spring 193 is joined to split pin 185. As can be seen in FIG. 32 the outer end 194 of coil spring 193 extends outwardly to engage one at a time for stop and release teeth 195 which are also molded into upper case 170.

The long term energy storage means consisting of ratchet teeth 192, spring pin 191, collar 190, coil spring 193, split pin 185 and the four stop and release teeth 195 also serves as the second switch means stabilizing and release means because positions of teeth 195 correspond to the four required first and second switch means stable positions Affixed by pin 196 to the first mass means 187 is spring 197 as shown in FIG. 34 having catches 198 and 199 on opposite ends. Catch 198 engages the teeth of pinion 189 with relative clockwise motion but rides freely over teeth 189 with relative counterclockwise motion. Opposite catch 199 and molded in the inside wall of case 171 are ratchet teeth 200. Relative clockwise motion of catch 199 permits catch 199 to ride freely over teeth 200. Relative counterclockwise motion engages catch 199 with teeth 200, momentarily storing energy and reversing its directional force in spring 197 which energy is reactively returned to mass means 187, imparting an opposite moment of inertia and causing it to rotate clockwise; thereby permitting engagement of catch 198 with teeth 189 and imparting a clockwise inertial moment to ratchet pinion and shaft 189 and collar 190. Small amounts of energy are thereby stored in coil spring 193 when spring pin 191 moves clockwise at least one ratchet tooth 192.

A similar construction of spring 201 with catches 202 and 203 is mounted by pin 204 on a face of the second mass means 188 as shown also in FIG. 34. Opposite catch 203 molded in the inside wall of case 171 is a second set of ratchet teeth 205 with their points midway between the points of teeth 200 which are immediately below them. Operation of the second mass means 188 is identical to that of the first 187 but because of the spacing of their corresponding two sets of ratchet teeth 200 and 205 they can never come to rest with their centers of gravity on a straight line passing through the common rotational axis of the mounting means for the multiple unstable masses. At least one of the masses will always be in a position to enable it to initiate clockwise rotational energy resulting from horizontal unidirectional energy originating from an external force from any point on the compass.

' Although this configuration (FIGS. 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 as well as that for FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23) appear to be very complex and therefore expensive to manufacture, all the difficult operations will have been built into the dies and other tooling that are used to injection mold or stamp and form the several parts. Additionally, the materials used are of the least expensive kind.

An alternative and most preferred construction of the switch device S is illustrated in FIGS. 35, 36 and 37. This configuration is most preferred because it is believed to be the most practical, simplest and therefore the least costly to manufacture despite its use of mercury. It does not, however, possess long term energy storage means and therefore its sensitivity to respond to external inertial momenta must rely more heavily on smooth inertial surfaces, accurate dimensions and force ratios among its three moving and two coacting stationary mechanical parts.

As with configurations illustrated in previous figures incoming electricity conductive means 210 and 211 are mounted conventionally in a non-conductive structure 212. Conductive means 211 by-passes the switching means and is joined conventionally to the bulb socket mounted above and affixed to structure 212, the presence of which socket is readily adduced.

Other incoming conductive means are metal strip 213 and rivet 214 having one end of the latter inside cavity 215 in top case 216. Two other cavities 217 and 218, the latter not visible, are located in two other quadrant positions in top case 216. The fourth quadrant position is blank and smooth. In like fashion two rivets 219 and 220 join metal strips 221 and 222 to case 216 and have their inside ends inside cavities 217 and 218 respectively. The opposite ends of metal strips 221 and 222 are in firm contact with other ongoing conductive means 223 and 224, respectively.

With bottom cover 225 a sealed nearly hemispherical chamber Y is formed mostly within top case 216. Contained within chamber Y is a conical portion of a sphere 226 whose outer spherical surface has virtually the same radius as the inside spherical surface in top case 216. The apex of spherical cone 226 is rotatably mounted on an angled shaft 227 on the cones axis. The opposite end of shaft 227 is rotatably and vertically mounted in a center hole in the bottom cover 225. Shaft 227 is very lightly flexible. Mercury 228 completely fills the remainder of chamber Y including also the three peripheral cavities inside which are electrical contacts on the ends of rivets 214, 219 and 220. The

Ill

mercury 228 in these cavities comprises the devices first switch means. The mercury 228 in the remainder of chamber Y comprises the devices second switch means as well as its unstable mass means. In these respects the configuration is similar to that of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

In the top surface of bottom cover 225 which forms the bottom of chamber Y a very carefully formed surface is molded, half the outer trace of which (where it joins the spherical surface formed inside top case 216) is diagrammed in FIG. 37. The profile of this trace is exaggerated in this view for clarity. The top surface of bottom cover 225 is generated by a rotating straight line between one point in the trace and its opposite end at the center of the hemispherical chamber Y and the apex of spherical cone 226. The straight line is rotated 360 as seen from above about the center point, the outer end of the line starting at one point and stopping at the same point after one revolution.

The are of the conic sectional trace between D and F seen flattened forward between D and F matches the arc of the circle formed by a cutting plane passing through the spherical cone 226 where its conical portion joins its spherical portion. This are is representative and the same as the three other arcs in the other 90 quadrant positions.

Portions of two other such arcs are between points A and B and H and I, FIG. 37. The four arcs form four stabilizing positions in which spherical cone 226 comes to rest. The positions of the stabilizing arcs correspond to the four desired quadrant positions of spherical cone 226 opposite the three cavities 215, 217 and 218 (the last hidden from view) and the fourth blank position.

The stabilizing arcs are higher on the right or counterclockwise directional side than on the left or clockwise side. This biases spherical cone 226 to roll and nutate in a clockwise direction rather than counterclockwise when it receives properly directed inertial momenta from unstable mass means 228. The surfaces (e.g., between portions of traces BD and the center of the hemisphere) between stabilizing arcs are gentle inclined planes formed to cause movement of spherical cone 226 toward the stabilizing positions by the force of resilient shaft 227 in the absence of inertial momenta from mass means 228 when the device is in a vertical position.

Spherical cone 226 excludes mercury 228 from the common surface between it and the inside spherical surface of chamber Y and thereby prevents electrical contact with the position occupied whether or not it contains incoming or ongoing conductive means or is blank. It thereby opens and closes circuit passage through the second switch means (mercury 228) between and among each of the four quadrant positions.

Even though mercury mass means 228 serves as a temporary heat sink in case of electrical arcking between two parts of mercury 228 (e.g., the parts in the cavities and the part in the remainder of chamber Y when they are being separated by movement of spherical cone 226) the material of top case 216, bottom cover 225 and spherical cone 226 is heat resistant and dimensionally and chemically stable. The material of which, especially spherical cone 226, is formed is many times less dense and therefore much lighter in weight than mercury. Spherical cone 226 will therefore be buoyant in mercury 228 and tend to float to the top of chamber Y insofar as it could. It is important that the resiliency in shaft 227 be just enough to overcome the buoyancy force to hold spherical cone 2265 conical surface in contact with chamber Ys bottom surface, but only lightly. Disparity between coefficients of expansion of mercury 228 and materials comprising top case 216, bottom cover 225 and spherical cone 226 are compensated for by entrapped and slightly compressed air in the shaft hole within spherical cone 226. Selection of the material from which angled shaft 227 is made should guard against using many metals which will amalgamate with mercury. Steel, thermosetting plastics and refractories do not and are suitable.

The construction of the combination inertially operable switch S and male to female socket adapter means sectionally shown in FIG. 38 is constructed of two principal non-conductive structural members, a bottom structure 250 and a top structure 251. A male metal socket member 252 and a female metal socket member 253 are conductively joined by conventional rivet means 254 and are structurally joined by the same rivet means 254 to the two principal non-conductive structural members, 250 and 251.

Incoming electricity conductive means consist of formed metal strips 255, 256 and rivet 257. A portion of ongoing conductive means is formed of two sets of similar rivets, one rivet 258 shown and another hidden from view, two metal strips, one 259 shown and another hidden from view. These contact other ongoing electricity conductive means 260 and 261; Ongoing conductive means 260 is shown in contact with contact 262 of the dim filament lead of a conventional threeway light bulb and 2611 via rivet 263 and contact 264 in contact with contact 265 of the medium bright filament lead of the same conventional three-way light bulb. Opposite ends of the bulb filaments are interconnected at 266 to the male socket base 267 of the conventional 3-way light bulb.

The remainder of the combination inertially operable switch and socket adapter consists of the inertially operable switch device S, one configuration shown in and described for FIGS. 35, 36 and 37 as pictured in FIG. 38. It is not desired, however, to limit the scope of the combination inertial switch and socket adapter to include just this specie of inertially operable switch, although a primary requirement of a very small size at low cost is more easily met with this specie.

With the adapter socket itself screwed into the light socket of a conventional movable room lamp two advantages result: (I) single filament bulb sockets are converted to conventional three-way bulb sockets, and (2) the table lamp may then have its appropriate (medium filament setting if also a three-way socket) switch circuit closed and left closed and the lamp thereafter operated by touch, tilt or other motion to actuate the inertially operable switch S contained within the adapter. 4

Construction of the combination movable room lamp 270 with inertially operable switch S contained beneath the bulb socket is mostly old art, the only new art being the combination of the movable room lamp and the inertially operable switch S. Details in the circular section line 1-1 are shown in other figures and described herein.

Construction of the combination long life light bulb and builtin inertially operable switch S is shown in its essential altered parts in fragmentary view and partial section in FIG. 40.

The glass sealed bulb 280, a fragmentary lower portion of which is seen, contains two conventional filaments 281 for dim brightness and 282 for medium brightness. The dim brightness filament 281 is joined within bulb 280 to ongoing conductive means, a rivet 283 and the medium brightness filament 282 is joined within bulb 280 to ongoing conductive means, a rivet 284. Opposite ends of the filament leads are both joined to the metal base 285 at 286.

One incoming conductive means 287 is joined to rivet 288. As with other similar constructions the inside ends of rivets 288, 283 and 284 are within cavities within the hemispherical walls 292 of chamber Z. Spherical cone 289 is mounted on flexible shaft 290. Shaft 290 is vertically mounted in base portion 291. Mercury 293 completely fills chamber Z and wall cavities together with spherical cone 289 and shaft 290. The bulb and switch combination must be mounted with its axis vertical within a conventional light bulb socket and the power on for it to operate. Such vertical mounting is almost the universal practice of today.

The switch S operates in the same manner as shown and described for other configurations herein. Both, economies of switch manufacture and long life bulb filaments, are expected to bring this combination into the range of economic practicality, just as camera flash bulbs with their independent power sources have.

In many Figures details of construction although sometimes shown for such things as conventional power source, rivets, other means of securing, such as sealants and bonding materials, assembly mating notches, conventional insulation and outer socket case structure, etc. are old art and it is believed unnecessary to go into further detail than was gone into in fully and adequately disclosing the invention and several of its species illustrated in and described for the 40 figures in the drawings.

Although presently preferred constructions of the invention have been shown and described, it is not desired to be limited to just those shown and described; therefore, what I claim as new is:

1. An inertially operable electricity switch comprising a structure disposable in a single general attitude for operation of said switch,

an electrical power source,

electrical power outlet means,

combination unstable mass and switch means joined to said structure for response to differential accelerations of the unstable mass portion of said combination means and of said structure and for electrically connecting and disconnecting said power source and said outlet means when the unstable mass portion is accelerated with respect to said structure,

the switch portion of said combination means havsingle general attitude causes said switch portion of said combination means to interchange said stabilizable switch positions.

2. A switch as in claim 1 wherein a first part of said switch portion of said combination means is generally stationary and a second part is generally movable with respect to said structure.

3. A switch as in claim 2 and means within said combination means for rigidly joining said unstable mass portion of said combination means to said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means.

4. A switch as in claim 2 and means included in said combination means for resiliently joining said unstable mass portion to said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means.

5. A switch as in claim 2 wherein said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means is mounted on a vertical shaft and is rotatable thereabout.

6. A switch as in claim 5 and biasing means for reversing one angular direction of said shaft.

7. A switch as in claim 2 wherein said unstable mass portion of said combination means is multiple, and means for mounting said multiple unstable masses such that each mass acts independently of the other to impart energy to said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means when said each mass is accelerated.

8. A switch as in claim 7 wherein said means for mounting said multiple unstable masses consists of a shaft about which said unstable multiple masses are rotatable, and means for preventing centers of gravity of said multiple masses from coming to rest on a straight line passing through the rotational axis of said shaft.

9. A switch as in claim 1 and secondary means in operable association with said electricity switch portion of said combination means for accumulating energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said combination means when said unstable mass portion of said combination means is accelerated and for release of said energy for operation of said switch portion of said combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.

10. A switch as in claim 9 and means therein for reversing inertial momenta generated in said unstable mass portion of said combination means. i

11. A switch as in claim 9 wherein said unstable mass portion of said combination means is multiple, each mass acting independently of the other and imparting energy to said secondary means for energy accumulation when said switch is accelerated.

12. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion and said unstable mass portion of said combination means are homogeneous.

13. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said unstable mass portion of said combination means is one mass of the element mercury which also functions as an electrical contacting means.

14. A switch as in claim 1 and a sealed chamber within said structure for containment of said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means.

15. A switch as in claim 14 and means comprising said releasable stabilizing means consisting of parts presenting coacting surfaces, a first being a movable member within said chamber having coacting surfaces in movable contact with a portion of the inside surface on a second part forming said chamber.

16. A switch as in claim 15 wherein said movable contacting portion is flexible.

17. A switch as in claim 15 wherein said chamber is primarily hemispherical and said first part is a conical portion of a sphere whose spherical surface is curved with the same radius as the spherical inside surface wall of said chamber.

18. A switch as in claim 17 and a third part of said release and stabilizing means consisting of a resilient shaft for mounting and biasing said first part on and against said second part.

19. A switch as in claim 18 wherein said resilient shaft is angled.

20. A switch as in claim 14 wherein said chambers outer portion is ring shaped.

21. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion of said combination means comprises an electrically conductive fluid.

22. A switch as in claim 1 including biasing means for biasing angular motion of said switch portion of said combination means in one angular direction.

23. A switch as in claim 1 and a shaft rotatably mounted to said structure for mounting of said unstable mass portion of said combination means and wherein said switch portion of said combination consists of a .nutatable hollow ring containing an electrically conductive fluid and solid electrical conductors therein, the former by its movability within said ring for closing and opening circuitry among said solid conductors and wherein said unstable mass portion is solid having its upper face inclined and said nutatable ring slidably and nutatingly mounted thereon.

24. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion of said combination means consists of electrical contacts stationed at three of four spaced quadrant positions, no contact at the fourth quadrant position, and a movable contact member having interconnected electrical contacts for effecting and preventing electricity flow through said contacts in said stationed positions when said movable contact member has interchanged its contacts with said stationed contacts.

25. A switch as in claim 24 wherein said movable contact member electrically interconnects three of the four of said spaced quadrant positions at a time.

26. A switch as in claim 25 wherein one of the three quadrant positions has an electrical contact connected with said incoming electric power source and two positions have contacts connected with said electric power outlet means.

27. A switch as in claim 25 wherein said releasable stabilizing means includes programming means for sequencing said movable contact member successively among each of said stationed quadrant positions such that one of said contacts of said movable contact member sequentially progresses through each of said four quadrant positions.

28. A switch as in claim 24 wherein there are four electrical contacts in said three quadrant positions interconnected with said electrical power outlet means, one contact common to said same three quadrant positions interconnected with said power source, and wherein said movable contact member interconnects said power source contact with each of said outlet contacts successively as said movable contact moves from one quadrant position to another upon acceleration of said unstable mass portion of said combination means.

29. A switch as in claim 28 wherein two of said four electrical contacts interconnected with said electrical power outlet means are stationed at one quadrant position and are electrically interconnected separately to separate ones of the remaining two of said four contacts.

30. A switch as in claim 1 and means for reversing inertial momenta generated in said unstable mass portion of said combination means.

31. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion of said combination means is comprised of three equally spaced generally stationary contacts and generally movable electrical contacts, said stationary contacts spaced with respect to said movable contacts such that said movable contacts interconnect two of said stationary contacts when said switch is at rest irrespective of the rest attitude of said movable contacts.

32. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said structure comprises an electrical socket adapter operably disposable in a single general attitude,

electrical male and female connectors interconnectible with said power source and a power user respectively,

electrical circuitry between said connectors, and

wherein said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means is operably mounted in said adapter with said switch portion electrically connected in said circuitry for closing and opening said circuitry,

wherein acceleration of said adapter also differentially accelerates said unstable mass portion of said combination means and said structure and operates said switch portion.

33. A switch as in claim 32 wherein said male connector of said adapter has two electrical contacts and said female connector has more than two electrical contacts, one each of whose male and female contacts are electrically interconnected fixedly and the other of whose male contacts is electrically interconnectible and disconnectible with the remainder of said female contacts by means of their operable association with said circuitry and with said combination means when said adapter is accelerated.

34. A switch as in claim 1, wherein said structure comprises an electric light bulb socket operably and acceleratably disposed in a single general attitude with incoming and ongoing electrically conductive means interconnectible with a power source and power user respectively and circuitry interconnecting said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means, and wherein said switch portion is in said circuitry for switching said circuitry when said socket is accelerated.

35. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said structure comprises an electric light source bulb operably disposable in a single general attitude, said bulb including base and filament portions and circuitry therebetween, said base portion being interconnectible with said power source, and said base portion including said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means having said switch portion interconnected with said circuitry for switching said circuitry when said bulb is accelerated.

36. The combination device as in claim 35 wherein said filament portion includes multiple filaments, and means within said switch for selectively closing and opening circuitry through said filaments.

37. An inertially operable electricity switch comprising a structure disposable in a single general attitude for operation of said switch,

an electrical power source,

electrical power outlet means,

combination unstable mass and switch means joined to said structure for response to differential accelerations of the unstable mass portion of said combination means and of said structure and for operably connecting and disconnecting said' power source and said outlet means when said structure is accelerated and said unstable mass portion moves with respect to said structure, the switch portion of said combination means having a plurality of stabilizable switch positions, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically stabilizing said switch portion of said combination means in said stabilizable switch positions upon termination of acceleration of said structure,

whereby acceleration of said structure while in said single general attitude causes said switch portion of said combination means to interchange said stabilizable switch positions.

38. A switch as in claim 37 and mounted therein to said structure, means for long term storage and intermittent release of energy in operable association with said combination unstable mass and switch means whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said combination means is accumulated when said switch is accelerated and released for operation of said switch portion of said combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.

39. A switch as in claim 37 wherein said structure comprises a male-to-female/female-to-male light bulb socket adapter means including electrical male incoming and female ongoing adapter means having circuitry therebetween with said switch portion interconnected with said circuitry for operably opening and closing said circuitry when said adapter means is accelerated and at rest, respectively.

40. An inertially operable electricity switching device comprising a primary combination operably disposed in a single general attitude and said primary combination itself comprising a primary mounting means,

an electrical power source,

incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means joined to said primary mounting means,

means interconnecting said incoming portion of said conductive means with said electrical power source,

secondary combination electrical switching and unstable mass means joined to said primary mounting means for switching electricity passage between said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means and for response to acceleration of said primary combination,

the electrical switching portion of said secondary combination having separate electrical switch positions,

means for force exchange between the mass portion and said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means,

whereby force generated in said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination by mechanical impulse from said acceleration switches said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means from one of said stabilizable switch positions to another when said electricity switching device is accelerated, and

stabilizing and release means for automatically stabilizing said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means in said stabilizable switch positions when said switching device is at rest and for automatically releasing for switching of said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means when said primary combination is accelerated while in said single general attitude.

41. A switching device as in claim 40 and means for long term energy storage and intermittent energy release in operable association with said secondary combination means and said means for force exchange whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination means is accumulated when said switching device is accelerated andreleased for operation of said switch portion of said combination when energy storage capacity is exceeded.

42. In an inertially operable electricity switching device responsive to acceleration a primary combination operably disposed in a single general attitude comprising an electrical power source,

a primary mounting means,

incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means joined to said primary mounting means and said incoming portion of said conductive means interconnected with said electrical power source, secondary combination electrical switching and unstable mass means for switching electricity passage between said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means and for response to acceleration of said primary combination, the electrical switching portion having stabilizable separate electrical switch positions and therebetween unstable switch positions,

tertiary combination means for mounting of said secondary combination means to said primary mounting means and for force exchange between the unstable mass portion and said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination,

whereby force generated in said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination means by mechanical impulse from said acceleration of said primary combination switches said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means from a first of said stabilizable switch positions to an unstable switch position between said first stabilizable switch position and a second stabilizable switch position when said primary combination is accelerated, and

releasable stabilizing means for automatically biasing said switching portion of said secondary combination means from said unstable switch position to and automatically stabilizing in said second stabilizable switch position when said switching device is not accelerated.

43. A switching device as in claim 42 and mounted therein to said primary mounting means, means for long term storage and intermittent release of energy in operable association with said secondary combination means and said tertiary combination means whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination means is accumulated when said switching device is accelerated and released through said tertiary combination means for operation of said switching portion of said secondary combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.

44. An inertially operable electricity switch responsive to randomly directed uniplanar acceleration comprising a structure disposable in a single general attitude for operation of said switch,

an electrical power source,

electrical power outlet means,

combination unstable mass and switch means joined to said structure for response to randomly directed uniplanar differential accelerations of the unstable mass portion of said combination and of said structure and for operably connecting and disconnecting said power source and said outlet means when said unstable mass portion is accelerated in a uniplanar random direction with respect to said structure, the switch portion of said combination means having a plurality of stabilizable switch positions, and

releasable stabilizing means .for automatically stabilizing said switch portion of said combination means in said stabilizable switch positions upon termination of acceleration with respect to said structure of said unstable mass portion of said combination means,

whereby relative acceleration in a uniplanar random direction of said unstable mass portion of said combination means with respect to said structure while said structure remains in a single general attitude causes said switch portion of said combination means to interchange said stabilizable switch positions.

45. A switch as in claim 44 and means for long term storage and intermittent release of energy in operable association with said combination means whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said combination means is accumulated when said switch is accelerated and released for operation of said switch portion of said combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.

46. A switch as in claim 44 wherein said structure comprises an electrical socket device operably disposable in a single general attitude,

and wherein said socket device comprises an electrical socket means, including incoming and ongoing electrical connectors and circuitry therebetween, said connectors interconnectible with said power source and a power user,

whereby acceleration of said socket device also accelerates and operates said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means.

47. in an inertially operable electricity switch device responsive to externally caused acceleration the combination comprising an acceleratable mounting structure operably disposed in a single general attitude for response to external momenta,

an electrical power source,

incoming electricity conductive means mounted on said structure and interconnected with said electric power source, ongoing electricity conductive means mounted on said structure, a shaft movably affixed to said structure, electricity switching means interconnected with said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means, said switching means having a plurality of stabilizable electricity relatively stationary and relatively movable conductive and non-conductive contacts, said relatively stationary contacts operably associated with said structure and said relatively movable contacts operably associated with said shaft, and in spaced relationship with each other and registerable for completing and interrupting the circuit for the flow of electricity between said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means, unstable mass means operably and movably interconnected with said shaft and movable with respect to said structure for generating force when said structure is accelerated, means operably associated with said shaft for transmitting said generated force of said unstable mass means to said relatively movable conductive and non-conductive contacts of said switching means, and wholly mechanical positioning and stabilizing means for automatically biasing said contacts into registry in the absence of countervailing force from said unstable mass means, whereby forces superior to those of said positioning and stabilizing means generated by acceleration of said unstable mass means automatically clear said biasing forces of said positioning and stabilizing means and moves said switching means into new registry. 48. A manually powered inertially operable electricity switch comprising a structure normally disposed in a single attitude when in operation, an electrical power source, an electrical outlet, switch means in said structure and having a plurality of generally stationary contacts connected to said power source and said electrical outlet and having movable means including movable conducting means operable to be progressively advanced through successive contact positions interconnected with said generally stationary contacts, said movable means including unstable mass advancing means for moving said movable conducting means through said positions in response to relatively rapid motion of said structure while in said single attitude, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically holding said movable conducting means in each of said successive positions upon termination of movement of said structure, whereby said movable conducting means is advanced through said contact positions by moving the structure while in said single attitude. 

1. An inertially operable electricity switch comprising a structure disposable in a single general attitude for operation of said switch, an electrical power source, electrical power outlet means, combination unstable mass and switch means joined to said structure for response to differential accelerations of the unstable mass portion of said combination means and of said structure and for electrically connecting and disconnecting said power source and said outlet means when the unstable mass portion is accelerated with respect to said structure, the switch portion of said combination means having a plurality of stabilizable switch positions, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically stabilizing said switch portion of said combination means in said stabilizable switch positions upon termination of acceleration with respect to said structure of said unstable mass portion of said combination means, whereby relative acceleration of said unstable mass portion of said combination means with respect to said structure while said structure remains in said single general attitude causes said switch portion of said combination means to interchange said stabilizable switch positions.
 2. A switch as in claim 1 wherein a first part of said switch portion of said combination means is generally stationary and a second part is generally movable with respect to said structure.
 3. A switch as in claim 2 and means within said combination means for rigidly joining said unstable mass portion of said combination means to said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means.
 4. A switch as in claim 2 and means included in said combination means for resiliently joining said unstable mass portion to said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means.
 5. A switch as in claim 2 wherein said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means is mounted on a vertical shaft and is rotatable thereabout.
 6. A switch as in claim 5 and biasing means for reversing one angular direction of said shaft.
 7. A switch as in claim 2 wherein said unstable mass portion of said combination means is multiple, and meanS for mounting said multiple unstable masses such that each mass acts independently of the other to impart energy to said generally movable part of said switch portion of said combination means when said each mass is accelerated.
 8. A switch as in claim 7 wherein said means for mounting said multiple unstable masses consists of a shaft about which said unstable multiple masses are rotatable, and means for preventing centers of gravity of said multiple masses from coming to rest on a straight line passing through the rotational axis of said shaft.
 9. A switch as in claim 1 and secondary means in operable association with said electricity switch portion of said combination means for accumulating energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said combination means when said unstable mass portion of said combination means is accelerated and for release of said energy for operation of said switch portion of said combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.
 10. A switch as in claim 9 and means therein for reversing inertial momenta generated in said unstable mass portion of said combination means.
 11. A switch as in claim 9 wherein said unstable mass portion of said combination means is multiple, each mass acting independently of the other and imparting energy to said secondary means for energy accumulation when said switch is accelerated.
 12. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion and said unstable mass portion of said combination means are homogeneous.
 13. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said unstable mass portion of said combination means is one mass of the element mercury which also functions as an electrical contacting means.
 14. A switch as in claim 1 and a sealed chamber within said structure for containment of said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means.
 15. A switch as in claim 14 and means comprising said releasable stabilizing means consisting of parts presenting coacting surfaces, a first being a movable member within said chamber having coacting surfaces in movable contact with a portion of the inside surface on a second part forming said chamber.
 16. A switch as in claim 15 wherein said movable contacting portion is flexible.
 17. A switch as in claim 15 wherein said chamber is primarily hemispherical and said first part is a conical portion of a sphere whose spherical surface is curved with the same radius as the spherical inside surface wall of said chamber.
 18. A switch as in claim 17 and a third part of said release and stabilizing means consisting of a resilient shaft for mounting and biasing said first part on and against said second part.
 19. A switch as in claim 18 wherein said resilient shaft is angled.
 20. A switch as in claim 14 wherein said chamber''s outer portion is ring shaped.
 21. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion of said combination means comprises an electrically conductive fluid.
 22. A switch as in claim 1 including biasing means for biasing angular motion of said switch portion of said combination means in one angular direction.
 23. A switch as in claim 1 and a shaft rotatably mounted to said structure for mounting of said unstable mass portion of said combination means and wherein said switch portion of said combination consists of a nutatable hollow ring containing an electrically conductive fluid and solid electrical conductors therein, the former by its movability within said ring for closing and opening circuitry among said solid conductors and wherein said unstable mass portion is solid having its upper face inclined and said nutatable ring slidably and nutatingly mounted thereon.
 24. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion of said combination means consists of electrical contacts stationed at three of four spaced quadrant positions, no contact at the fourth quadrant position, and a movable contact member having interconnected electrical contacts for effecting and preventing electricity flow through said contacTs in said stationed positions when said movable contact member has interchanged its contacts with said stationed contacts.
 25. A switch as in claim 24 wherein said movable contact member electrically interconnects three of the four of said spaced quadrant positions at a time.
 26. A switch as in claim 25 wherein one of the three quadrant positions has an electrical contact connected with said incoming electric power source and two positions have contacts connected with said electric power outlet means.
 27. A switch as in claim 25 wherein said releasable stabilizing means includes programming means for sequencing said movable contact member successively among each of said stationed quadrant positions such that one of said contacts of said movable contact member sequentially progresses through each of said four quadrant positions.
 28. A switch as in claim 24 wherein there are four electrical contacts in said three quadrant positions interconnected with said electrical power outlet means, one contact common to said same three quadrant positions interconnected with said power source, and wherein said movable contact member interconnects said power source contact with each of said outlet contacts successively as said movable contact moves from one quadrant position to another upon acceleration of said unstable mass portion of said combination means.
 29. A switch as in claim 28 wherein two of said four electrical contacts interconnected with said electrical power outlet means are stationed at one quadrant position and are electrically interconnected separately to separate ones of the remaining two of said four contacts.
 30. A switch as in claim 1 and means for reversing inertial momenta generated in said unstable mass portion of said combination means.
 31. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said switch portion of said combination means is comprised of three equally spaced generally stationary contacts and generally movable electrical contacts, said stationary contacts spaced with respect to said movable contacts such that said movable contacts interconnect two of said stationary contacts when said switch is at rest irrespective of the rest attitude of said movable contacts.
 32. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said structure comprises an electrical socket adapter operably disposable in a single general attitude, electrical male and female connectors interconnectible with said power source and a power user respectively, electrical circuitry between said connectors, and wherein said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means is operably mounted in said adapter with said switch portion electrically connected in said circuitry for closing and opening said circuitry, wherein acceleration of said adapter also differentially accelerates said unstable mass portion of said combination means and said structure and operates said switch portion.
 33. A switch as in claim 32 wherein said male connector of said adapter has two electrical contacts and said female connector has more than two electrical contacts, one each of whose male and female contacts are electrically interconnected fixedly and the other of whose male contacts is electrically interconnectible and disconnectible with the remainder of said female contacts by means of their operable association with said circuitry and with said combination means when said adapter is accelerated.
 34. A switch as in claim 1, wherein said structure comprises an electric light bulb socket operably and acceleratably disposed in a single general attitude with incoming and ongoing electrically conductive means interconnectible with a power source and power user respectively and circuitry interconnecting said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means, and wherein said switch portion is in said circuitry for switching said circuitry when said socket is accelerated.
 35. A switch as in claim 1 wherein said structure comprises an electric light source bulb operably disposable in a single general attItude, said bulb including base and filament portions and circuitry therebetween, said base portion being interconnectible with said power source, and said base portion including said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means having said switch portion interconnected with said circuitry for switching said circuitry when said bulb is accelerated.
 36. The combination device as in claim 35 wherein said filament portion includes multiple filaments, and means within said switch for selectively closing and opening circuitry through said filaments.
 37. An inertially operable electricity switch comprising a structure disposable in a single general attitude for operation of said switch, an electrical power source, electrical power outlet means, combination unstable mass and switch means joined to said structure for response to differential accelerations of the unstable mass portion of said combination means and of said structure and for operably connecting and disconnecting said power source and said outlet means when said structure is accelerated and said unstable mass portion moves with respect to said structure, the switch portion of said combination means having a plurality of stabilizable switch positions, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically stabilizing said switch portion of said combination means in said stabilizable switch positions upon termination of acceleration of said structure, whereby acceleration of said structure while in said single general attitude causes said switch portion of said combination means to interchange said stabilizable switch positions.
 38. A switch as in claim 37 and mounted therein to said structure, means for long term storage and intermittent release of energy in operable association with said combination unstable mass and switch means whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said combination means is accumulated when said switch is accelerated and released for operation of said switch portion of said combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.
 39. A switch as in claim 37 wherein said structure comprises a male-to-female/female-to-male light bulb socket adapter means including electrical male incoming and female ongoing adapter means having circuitry therebetween with said switch portion interconnected with said circuitry for operably opening and closing said circuitry when said adapter means is accelerated and at rest, respectively.
 40. An inertially operable electricity switching device comprising a primary combination operably disposed in a single general attitude and said primary combination itself comprising a primary mounting means, an electrical power source, incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means joined to said primary mounting means, means interconnecting said incoming portion of said conductive means with said electrical power source, secondary combination electrical switching and unstable mass means joined to said primary mounting means for switching electricity passage between said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means and for response to acceleration of said primary combination, the electrical switching portion of said secondary combination having separate electrical switch positions, means for force exchange between the mass portion and said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means, whereby force generated in said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination by mechanical impulse from said acceleration switches said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means from one of said stabilizable switch positions to another when said electricity switching device is accelerated, and stabilizing and release means for automatically stabilizing said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means in said stabilizable switch positions when said switching device is at rest and for automatically relEasing for switching of said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means when said primary combination is accelerated while in said single general attitude.
 41. A switching device as in claim 40 and means for long term energy storage and intermittent energy release in operable association with said secondary combination means and said means for force exchange whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination means is accumulated when said switching device is accelerated and released for operation of said switch portion of said combination when energy storage capacity is exceeded.
 42. In an inertially operable electricity switching device responsive to acceleration a primary combination operably disposed in a single general attitude comprising an electrical power source, a primary mounting means, incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means joined to said primary mounting means and said incoming portion of said conductive means interconnected with said electrical power source, secondary combination electrical switching and unstable mass means for switching electricity passage between said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means and for response to acceleration of said primary combination, the electrical switching portion having stabilizable separate electrical switch positions and therebetween unstable switch positions, tertiary combination means for mounting of said secondary combination means to said primary mounting means and for force exchange between the unstable mass portion and said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination, whereby force generated in said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination means by mechanical impulse from said acceleration of said primary combination switches said electrical switching portion of said secondary combination means from a first of said stabilizable switch positions to an unstable switch position between said first stabilizable switch position and a second stabilizable switch position when said primary combination is accelerated, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically biasing said switching portion of said secondary combination means from said unstable switch position to and automatically stabilizing in said second stabilizable switch position when said switching device is not accelerated.
 43. A switching device as in claim 42 and mounted therein to said primary mounting means, means for long term storage and intermittent release of energy in operable association with said secondary combination means and said tertiary combination means whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said secondary combination means is accumulated when said switching device is accelerated and released through said tertiary combination means for operation of said switching portion of said secondary combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.
 44. An inertially operable electricity switch responsive to randomly directed uniplanar acceleration comprising a structure disposable in a single general attitude for operation of said switch, an electrical power source, electrical power outlet means, combination unstable mass and switch means joined to said structure for response to randomly directed uniplanar differential accelerations of the unstable mass portion of said combination and of said structure and for operably connecting and disconnecting said power source and said outlet means when said unstable mass portion is accelerated in a uniplanar random direction with respect to said structure, the switch portion of said combination means having a plurality of stabilizable switch positions, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically stabilizing said switch portion of said combination means in said stabilizable switch positions upon termination of acceleration with respect to said structure of said unstable mass portion of said combination meaNs, whereby relative acceleration in a uniplanar random direction of said unstable mass portion of said combination means with respect to said structure while said structure remains in a single general attitude causes said switch portion of said combination means to interchange said stabilizable switch positions.
 45. A switch as in claim 44 and means for long term storage and intermittent release of energy in operable association with said combination means whereby energy generated by said unstable mass portion of said combination means is accumulated when said switch is accelerated and released for operation of said switch portion of said combination means when energy storage capacity is exceeded.
 46. A switch as in claim 44 wherein said structure comprises an electrical socket device operably disposable in a single general attitude, and wherein said socket device comprises an electrical socket means, including incoming and ongoing electrical connectors and circuitry therebetween, said connectors interconnectible with said power source and a power user, whereby acceleration of said socket device also accelerates and operates said combination means and said releasable stabilizing means.
 47. In an inertially operable electricity switch device responsive to externally caused acceleration the combination comprising an acceleratable mounting structure operably disposed in a single general attitude for response to external momenta, an electrical power source, incoming electricity conductive means mounted on said structure and interconnected with said electric power source, ongoing electricity conductive means mounted on said structure, a shaft movably affixed to said structure, electricity switching means interconnected with said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means, said switching means having a plurality of stabilizable electricity relatively stationary and relatively movable conductive and non-conductive contacts, said relatively stationary contacts operably associated with said structure and said relatively movable contacts operably associated with said shaft, and in spaced relationship with each other and registerable for completing and interrupting the circuit for the flow of electricity between said incoming and ongoing electricity conductive means, unstable mass means operably and movably interconnected with said shaft and movable with respect to said structure for generating force when said structure is accelerated, means operably associated with said shaft for transmitting said generated force of said unstable mass means to said relatively movable conductive and non-conductive contacts of said switching means, and wholly mechanical positioning and stabilizing means for automatically biasing said contacts into registry in the absence of countervailing force from said unstable mass means, whereby forces superior to those of said positioning and stabilizing means generated by acceleration of said unstable mass means automatically clear said biasing forces of said positioning and stabilizing means and moves said switching means into new registry.
 48. A manually powered inertially operable electricity switch comprising a structure normally disposed in a single attitude when in operation, an electrical power source, an electrical outlet, switch means in said structure and having a plurality of generally stationary contacts connected to said power source and said electrical outlet and having movable means including movable conducting means operable to be progressively advanced through successive contact positions interconnected with said generally stationary contacts, said movable means including unstable mass advancing means for moving said movable conducting means through said positions in response to relatively rapid motion of said structure while in said single attitude, and releasable stabilizing means for automatically holding said movable conductiNg means in each of said successive positions upon termination of movement of said structure, whereby said movable conducting means is advanced through said contact positions by moving the structure while in said single attitude. 